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Watchdog fears for children in 'illegal schools' in UK- 17-May-2016
London: Britain's schools watchdog today warned of hundreds of children being at risk as they were being taught in unregistered, technically "illegal schools", mostly Islamic or Jewish.
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw wrote to UK education secretary Nicky Morgan today, saying his inspectors had identified 100 suspected unregistered schools since a team was set up in January to investigate the problem.
The majority were Islamic or Jewish, Ofsted said.
"What we have found so far is likely to represent only a small proportion of the illegal schools operating across the country. Inspectors are hearing about suspected new cases every week. I therefore remain extremely concerned about the number of children and young people attending these schools who may be at significant risk of harm and indoctrination," he writes.
Wilshaw had been tasked by the UK government last year to set up a separate Ofsted taskforce to investigate suspected illegal schools.
The inspections also uncovered serious fire hazards, including obstructed exits and inaccessible fire escapes, as well as schools with unsafe and unhygienic premises.
"One case involved the discovery of chemicals and chemistry equipment in an unlocked food cupboard in a room where children ate their lunch," the letter relates.
Last month, Ofsted inspectors issued seven warning notices to suspected illegal schools in London, Birmingham, Luton, Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "We have consulted on new measures to protect children in out of schools settings offering intensive education. We received a large number of responses, which we are now considering, and will make a further announcement in due course."
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